So it makes perfect sense why Canton senior outfielder Elizabeth Yager decided to become a Titan — signing her national letter of intent to play Division I softball at University of Detroit Mercy.

Yager didn't have to think too long about deciding UDM was the best place for her to sign. Her grandfather (N. Joseph Yager) went to University of Detroit in the 1950s and her dad (Eric) followed suit in the 1980s.

And older brother Joe Yager currently is a student at UDM, in the nursing program that Elizabeth intends on enrolling in.

"I'm really excited to do so," Elizabeth Yager said. "It wasn't necessarily a push from my family to do that. It was more a choice on my own. But it's pretty cool that I'm getting to do that.

"They're really excited for me, especially Joseph, he's excited to have me on campus with him."

But Yager — an all-around talent who in 2015 for the Chiefs batted .542 with 38 stolen bases — will be starting her own tradition, playing D-I softball for the Titans.

"I am willing to play wherever I can get on the field," Yager noted. "I know they've been looking for outfielders and that's obviously where I'd love to be.

"Center field is not the only spot I would play over there, I'm fine with anything as long as I'm on the field."

Although the 18-year-old Canton resident is not getting a full-ride scholarship, a combination of academic (she carries a 4.1 grade-point average) and athletic scholarships will put a major dent in her tuition costs.

Priorities count

Yager emphasized that the family lure wasn't the biggest factor in her decision to sign with Mercy.

It was how UDM softball coach John Conway and his program place the main emphasis on academics for his players.

With that, Yager knew she could go all-in on studies for a nursing degree without worry there might be softball setbacks.

"Most Division I schools, softball comes first and softball is over school," continued Yager, during a recent telephone interview. "And if you miss your nursing classes or you miss a clinical, that's just how it is.

"Mercy runs it a little bit different, especially with their nursing program. Their clinical placements, they give athletes priority and they help athletes out with the nursing program. And then the coach himself stresses academics. It's important to him and it's important to his team."

UDM's softball team has been in the Horizon League leaders in grade-point average in recent years.

"And the work ethic of the girls on the team also drew me in," Yager emphasized. "The girls that missed a practice because of their academic program, they went on their own time and set something else up with that coach.

"The girls worked so hard and the coach is willing to work with you at any time of day."

That kind of work ethic is evident with her high school team as she looks to close out a successful prep career in 2016.

"We all know it (2015 season) was not what that team was capable of," said Yager, part of Division 1 quarterfinalists her freshman and sophomore seasons. "We were capable of much more than we showed last year.

"So, this year we're just ready to give it all that we have and we don't want another finish knowing we were capable of more."

Canton centerfielder Elizabeth Yager makes a nice catch during the 2014 regionals. She will play college softball beginning in 2017 for University of Detroit Mercy.(Photo: JOHN KEMSKI | EXPRESS PHOTO)

Childhood dream

Meanwhile, Yager can't wait to have the best of both worlds at UDM. Not only does she get to play softball, she'll go to work on becoming a nurse. It's the path she first envisioned taking when just a little girl.

And it doesn't matter that Joe Yager, a 2014 Canton graduate, already is in the Mercy nursing program.

"Actually I wanted to go into nursing before he did," Elizabeth Yager said. "... I have wanted to go into nursing since I was maybe in second or third grade.

"I can't wait. I know he's going to specialize in something a little different, so I won't have to compete with him for a job. But I cannot wait to be at the same school as him."

Who: Elizabeth Yager, 18, Canton resident and varsity softball standout who began playing softball at age 7 with the PC Pride travel program.

Oh, Mercy: Yager, whose parents are Eric and Kelli Yager, in mid-November signed her national letter of intent to play Division I women's softball at University of Detroit Mercy. She also will pursue a degree in nursing.

Key stats: She carries a 4.1 grade-point average at Canton High School, where she is a senior. Her softball statistics also are stellar. In the 2015 season, Yager posted a .542 batting average and registered 38 stolen bases.

Tradition: She will become the fourth member of her family to go to the Detroit campus. Her grandfather, N. Joseph Yager, attended classes there during the 1950s. Three decades after that, her dad graduated from what then was known as the University of Detroit. Currently enrolled at UDM is older brother Joseph.

Canton senior Elizabeth Yager is happy to continue the family’s tradition at University of Detroit Mercy.(Photo: TAMMY MILLER)